How do I will my property to one family & ensure life time visitation to another.

[DavieL]

I am a bachelor with no children and I own five acres of wooden land in northern wisconsin that has been the base camp for my friends and family to hunt, fish and camp. I have enjoyed sharing with my cousins and their children. I now have built a home on the land, which I want to leave to the children of one cousin. I have another cousin that has a permanent camper on the property. How do I make sure that the children inherit the home and ensure that the other cousin has a lifetime right to use the property. All parties are aware of my wishes and are in agreement with my wishes. I do have some brothers that may try to fight this, but they have no involvement in the property or my affairs. I want to avoid problems after I die.

 

[army judge]

This is very simple.
You can use online wills, will software, or wills purchased from an office supply store.

Let's call the cousins Joe & Moe.
You want to will the home and the property to Joe, in fee simple with a remainder to Joe's issue, upon Joe's demise. A condition precedent to Joe's life estate, does not allow the property to be sold (or transferred) so long as Moe is alive.

You give a life estate to Moe for his use and enjoyment until his demise. Upon Moe's passing, the life estate extinguishes and remainder reverts back to Joe.

If you don't want spouses to take of the inheritance, speak with an attorney. Divorces do happen. You should always consult with an attorney and make sure the will is filed at the courthouse to ensure it us probated correctly.